Amex Gold Just Added New Benefits Without Raising the Annual Fee

The American Express^® Gold Card is picking up genuinely useful benefits without any increase to the $325 annual fee (rates & fees) — a surprise considering how we’re used to seeing issuers raise the price when they add more value.

It now comes across as a more well-rounded everyday and travel card, rather than just one you reach for to earn bonus points on eligible dining and grocery spend.

Here’s a closer look at what’s new on the Amex Gold card as of April 30, 2026.

Earn 5x Points on Prepaid Hotels

One of the most meaningful upgrades to the Amex Gold card is a big jump in how it earns on travel — specifically prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel app (iOS, Android).

Until recently, the card earned just 2x Membership Rewards points on these bookings. That was fine, but nothing to go out of your way for, especially compared to other cards that rewarded travel more generously. Now, these same prepaid hotel bookings earn 5 points per $1.

That’s more than double the previous earning rate. More importantly, it now matches what you’d get with premium cards like the Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express on prepaid hotels.

You’re essentially getting a top-tier earning rate on hotel bookings without needing to carry a premium card with a sky-high annual fee. And the fact that this is included without increasing the Amex Gold card’s annual fee makes it feel like a genuine value add, not a tradeoff.

New Dining Credit Partners

The Amex Gold card has always centered around food, and it shines in rewarding spend that already fits into most people’s routines.

Recent updates have made that even more true. Earning 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x points) adds flexibility, and though there’s a cap, it’s high enough that most cardholders won’t have issues.

Where things noticeably improve now, though, is with the annual dining credit (enrollment required). Here’s the updated list of eligible partners for 2026:

• New: Buffalo Wild Wings and Wonder
• Remaining the same: Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, and Five Guys
• Exiting: Goldbelly and Wine.com

Amex has shifted toward partners that are simply easier to use in everyday life. The addition of Buffalo Wild Wings stands out for that reason alone, as it’s a chain widely available across the U.S.

They’ve also added the food hall chain Wonder, which brings in a mix of chef-driven eateries and adds variety, depending on your location.

Enroll in Hertz Five Star Status

Rental car perks used to be something you’d expect from a premium card like the Amex Platinum card, not a midtier option. That’s starting to shift with the Amex Gold card.

Cardholders now receive Hertz Five Star Status (enrollment required), which adds ease to the rental experience right out of the gate.

It’s not the highest level in the program (that would be Hertz President’s Circle), but Five Star status still covers the perks most people actually notice. Think quicker pickups, a better shot at upgrades, and access to a wider range of cars at some locations.

On its own, it’s not a reason to get the card. But getting rental car elite status without increasing the annual fee is a win, especially if you rent a few times a year and want a smoother, more convenient experience without doing anything extra.

Overview of Amex Gold Card

These few benefit adjustments add more value to the grand scheme of the Amex Gold card.

Since it earns 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x points) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x points), the Amex Gold card is one of the best for foodies. It also earns 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

BEST FOR DINING

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American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points per dollar on prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Pay It^® lets you tap in the American Express^® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It^® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
• Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express^® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• New! As an American Express^® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star^® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
• Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
• Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express^® service and support. Only for American Express^® Card Members.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The card also features a handful of useful credits and benefits that are easy to use. In addition to the dining credits, you can receive up to a $50 semiannual Resy credit and up to $7 per month in Dunkin’ statement credits (enrollment required for benefits). You can also link your Amex Gold card to Uber and get $10 in Uber Cash every month to use on rides or food in the U.S. — you must pay for the transaction with an Amex card to redeem the Uber Cash.

On the welcome offer side, new Amex Gold card applicants can earn:

• Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The nice part is you can check your bonus offer during the application process, and if it’s not great, you can just back out with no hit to your credit score. If you decide to move forward and get approved, only then you may see a hard pull on your credit report.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Gold card didn’t get a massive overhaul, but for points and miles enthusiasts and travelers, that’s actually a good thing.

Instead, Amex made a series of targeted updates that improve how the card performs where it matters. Higher earnings on prepaid hotels, more usable dining partners, and the addition of rental car status all help round out the overall value.

And importantly, all of this comes without an increase in the $325 annual fee, making it easier to justify keeping or picking up the card as part of a broader points-and-miles strategy.